Telemon announces fee for Golden Slipper sire SIDESTEP

SIDESTEP, the sire of Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner KIAMICHI, will remain at Telemon Thoroughbreds in Queensland for the 2019 breeding season under an existing arrangement with Darley.

SIDESTEP will stand at Telemon at a fee of $22,000 including GST in 2019 and be eligible for QTIS.

The champion two-year-old colt of his year currently tops both the First Season Sires & Two-Year-Old Sires tables following the Golden Slipper victory of his superstar filly on Saturday.

Telemon General Manager Joe Heather reinforced the commitment that Darley and Telemon share in having the son of EXCEED AND EXCEL available to Queensland breeders.

“We’ve been absolutely inundated with support for SIDESTEP since Saturday, and we want to be able to give our clients certainty regarding their mating plans for 2019. The reaction has been great,” said Heather.

“It is wonderful to see the success of the horse and what he has done in such a short period of time and we’re really excited about the season ahead and the quality of mares he will attract,” he said.

Darley Stallions Head of Sales Alastair Pulford said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to have one of the most exciting young stallions in the country positioned to work with a Queensland mare population renowned for producing great two-year-old results.

“We’ve seen what other sires have been able to do in Queensland and to now have SIDESTEP working with those mares means he is exceptionally well-positioned for the long term.”

Telemon owner Dan Fletcher explained: “We felt it was important to strike a middle ground between the horse’s newfound standing whilst recognising the need to keep him at an attainable level following a relatively tough period for local breeders.

“It’s such a privilege to be involved with Darley. We share a fairly no-nonsense philosophy, and to be able to offer this horse at a fee where he remains exceptional value is a huge result for Queensland.

“We’re so excited about the upcoming season. SIDESTEP’s first Queensland foals are on the way and he’ll attract his best and biggest book of mares. We can’t wait to get to work.”